Abandoned Toddler Girl (2009) - Memphis TN

Memphis Police are searching for the guardian of a little girl found at a Wal-Mart Sunday afternoon. According
to investigators, a shopper found the toddler asleep in a shopping
basket around 2:00pm at the Wal-Mart on Winchester at 385. Store
employees tried to find the child's parent or gaurdian in the store,
but were unsuccessful and contacted police. The child is believed to be
between one and two years old. After several hours, the child
was placed in the care of the Tennessee Department of Child Services
while police work to identify the child and the child's parents.

MEMPHIS, TN - A toddler left at a Walmart in Southeast Memphis is in the custody of the state.

An employee found the abandoned two-year-old girl in the Winchester Road store Sunday afternoon, November 9, 2009. She's now with the Department of Children Services.

The little girl was found to be in good health. DCS officials tell us they have been in contact with the child's family. Whether or not the toddler was intentionally left at the Walmart remains to be seen. Either way shoppers are sympathizing with the girl.

“I have 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. This story just really touches my heart” says shopper Joann King.

According to police, the child was alone and crying when discovered by a store employee around 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

Initial attempts to contact the girl's family were unsuccessful, and it's not clear if her parents ever reported her missing.

Joann King thinks things like this happen all too frequently in a fast-paced world.

“I’m not really surprised. Things are happening. It's no surprise to me” says King.

DCS is investigating the case along with the Shelby County Juvenile Court. For now, they say it's too early to tell if charges will be filed.

An employee with Walmart tells us he believes the child was left accidentally in the store. He says it appeared there was a mix up among family members.

Toddler Abandoned At Walmart

Shaun Chaiyabhat
5:37 p.m. CST, November 9, 2009

....DCS workers took the little girl into state care and began the search for her family. A DCS spokesperson says the agency is in contact with her family, and while no charges have been filed, the agency will continue to investigate before sending the child back to her family....

http://www.wreg.com/wreg-walmart-toddler-abandoned,0,1820248.story

Shopper Sees Abandoned Walmart Toddler
Updated: Monday, 09 Nov 2009, 9:26 PM CST
Published : Monday, 09 Nov 2009, 9:26 PM CST

Tealy
Devereaux
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

"It was really disturbing to finally realize this baby, someone has left this baby," said Melanie Smith.

Smith, who was shopping at the Walmart on Winchester in Memphis Sunday afternoon, says she first took notice of the abandoned little girl right after getting her groceries and checking out....

http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/tennessee/110909_shopper%20sees%20abandoned%20walmart%20toddler